Bethany Johnson

I chose Ridgewater College because it felt like home. How Ridgewater impacted my life was the professors that I had, having 3 major changes and started the MA program when Covid was happening, none of my professors gave up on me when I was starting to give up on myself. What I am doing now is that I started a CLA position February 2023 at the Ridgewater-Hutchinson campus with the nursing and Medical Assistant programs!

My Program

One summer afternoon I was zooming my advisor to pick classes for fall 2020. When I went on the Ridgewater home page, it said “Medical Assistant coming to Hutchinson campus August 2020.” I was talking to my advisor about what the program was about so I joined the Medical Assistant program that same day and started Fall 2020.

Relationships with Faculty & Staff

I was super shy at first going into the MA program. Everything was via zoom and I would barely talk. When everything was lifted and everyone was back on campus, I was scared out of my mind! But as the weeks went on, my professor Cherie Miller helped me with my confidence and to not doubt myself. I think I was her most “talkative” student after I opened up. Haha. I am grateful to have joined the program and have met Cherie. She is like a second mom to me and when I’m down or in a rough patch, she is always there for me.

Learning & Advice

What I have learned being at Ridgewater was it’s more than okay to change your major. My advice to students is find your calling and explore different activities, majors and clubs!